Cal Fire inmate crews divert from training to Etiwanda Fire

FONTANA >> What started out as practice turned into the real deal for dozens of jail inmates training for fire season on the north end of the city.

Cal Fire was conducting fire training for 80 inmates on Wednesday morning. But that changed when the Etiwanda Fire ignited.

“It was a best-case scenario that we were prepared with extra staffing,” said Cal Fire spokeswoman Debbie Chapman. “And we were training in an area that was close proximity, so we were able to get there quickly.”

The inmates were set to go on a timed hike and be tested in deploying a fire shelter, cutting a fire line and other exercises. Conservation camps participating on Wednesday were from Prado in Chino, Pilot Rock in Crestline and Fenner Canyon in Valyermo.

Firefighters began a briefing about 6:30 a.m. and the first group had started training.

Before the smoke drifted out of the canyon, the call came across the radios about the fire.

“We heard a dispatch go out, so we were able to listen to the dispatch, then the resources were dispatched,” Chapman said.

Firefighters remained on stand-by momentarily, and headed out to the fire before 9 a.m.

More inmate crews are scheduled to train Thursday as well, but that will depend on the status of the blaze.